Theatre venue row

Conservative and Liberal Democrat members of Arun District Council exchanged cross words as the preferred option of a 500-seat auditorium to combine film and theatre shows and three smaller auditoria were backed. The row failed to stop the go- ahead being given for chosen developer St Modwen to speak to potential operators to gauge the interest in the proposed destination. St Modwen's consultants have informally spoken to Ambassador Theatre Group, Apollo, Everyman Media, Academy Music Group and Open Wide International. The firms have expressed an interest in expanding into Bognor. Discussions will also be held with the Alexandra Theatre's current operator, Hotham Arts, and sports centre operator Inspire Leisure to see if they want to be involved with the new facility. The moves were approved by 34 votes to nil with ten abstentions at last week's special meeting of the council. This was also the margin which supported the council's desire to see the seafront building, originally put forward by St Modwen as an arts centre, retained for an alternative use. This could be a restaurant but housing has been ruled out by the council. Two further votes to back Arun's work with St Modwen on the redevelopment received similar levels of support as the three Labour and the Independent councillor present sided with the Lib Dems. But an attempt by the Lib Dems to force the report on the future of entertainment in Bognor back for renewed debate based on the comments of the Theatres Trust was rejected by 31 votes to nine with two absentations. Cllr Paul Wells (Bognor Hotham) said Arun was in danger of repeating its costly mistakes of building to a budget rather than seeing which facilities were required. 'The Theatres Trust clearly states that we need a fly tower yet the recommended option is without one. These are the experts. We should be taking notice of the trust.' Lib Dem group leader Cllr Simon McDougall (Bersted) said he was concerned about the trust's comments which highlighted the effect of a lack of a fly tower. The reason the additional facility had been omitted was because it would take up too much room and cut down the number of money-spinning flats on top of the leisure facilities. Such an approach was typical of how a site supposed to be the jewel in the crown of Bognor was being tarnished by a desire to cut costs. 'I am seriously concerned that what set out to be a landmark building for Bognor will be nothing of the sort,' he stressed. He stated it was it was the role of councillors to challenge reports. But council leader Cllr Gill Brown (Aldwick East) accused the opposition members of wallowing in negativity. 'I am not sure what kind of message this sends out, not just to St Modwen, but to everybody else interested in coming to Bognor. 'The partial fly tower which is recommended in the consultants' report is exactly the same as they have in the Alexandra Theatre at the moment. If it's needed, a full fly tower can be provided.'